Abstract

Genetic differentiation and gene geographic variation of house mouse from the territory of Russia and neighboring countries was examined based on the allozyme analysis of samples from natural, semisynanthropic, and obligate synanthropic populations. The results of analysis of genetic differentiation, performed using 22 interpreted loci, as well as the data on gene geographic variation of four allozyme markers (Idh-1, Sod-1, Aat-1, and hemoglobin) validated the hypothesis on rapid mice expansion from the south of Eastern Europe to the Pacific coast of Asia. It was demonstrated that moving eastwards led to the formation currently expanding zones of hybridization between the “northern” M. musculus group and the “Central Asian” M. wagneri group in Siberia, and with the M. m. castaneus group in the south of the Russian Far East. The allozyme data were compared with the data of molecular genetic and karyological analyses performed using the same experimental material. The phenomenon of hybrid zones of the house mouse from Eurasia is discussed.

Korobitsyna, K.V. and Yakimenko, L.V., The Role and Place of wagneri-Like Morphs of House Mouse (Rodentia: Muridae) in the Fauna of Russia and Adjacent Countries, Zool. Zh., 2004, vol. 83, no. 8, pp. 1018–1030.Google Scholar